丝裂素活化的蛋白激酶在双歧杆菌预防大肠癌中的作用

目的:从信号转导这一层次探索双歧杆菌预防大肠癌生长的机制.方法:以大肠癌裸鼠移植瘤为动物模型,预先用青春型双歧杆菌注射于裸鼠腹腔,然后以激光共聚焦显微镜检测大肠癌移植瘤组织丝裂素活化的蛋白激酶(MAPK)家系中的ERK1/2、JNK和p38的含量.结果:双歧杆菌预防组大肠癌组织ERK1/2的平均荧光强度明显低于肿瘤对照组(P＜0.01),而JNK和p38的平均荧光强度在两组间差异无显著性(P＞0.05).结论:青春型双歧杆菌通过抑制ERK1/2的活化来预防大肠癌的生长.     

双歧杆菌DNA对巨噬细胞PKC的影响

目的探索青春型双歧杆菌的DNA对巨噬细胞PKC家族的影响.方法以激光共聚焦显微镜定量测定小鼠腹腔巨噬细胞PKCα、PKCβⅠ、PKCβⅡ、PKCγ、PKCε和PKCζ的含量.结果双歧杆菌DNA注射组小鼠腹腔巨噬细胞PKCα和PKCβⅡ的平均荧光强度明显高于对照组（P＜0.01）,而PKCβⅠ、PKCγ、PKCε和PKCζ的平均荧光强度在2组间则差异无显著性（P＞0.05）.结论青春型双歧杆菌的DNA能活化巨噬细胞的PKCα和PKCβⅡ.     

双歧杆菌的DNA对小鼠腹腔巨噬细胞游离Ca2+离子水平的影响

目的 从信号转导途径探索青春型双歧杆菌的DNA激活巨噬细胞的机制。方法 用钙离子荧光指示剂Fluo-3／AM负载小鼠腹腔巨噬细胞,以激光共焦镜显微镜观察不同浓度的DNA对巨噬细胞内游离Ca^2＋离子的浓度变化。结果 所用刺激浓度的DNA均能显著升高巨噬细胞内游离Ca^2＋．离子的浓度,并且随着刺激物浓度的逐增,巨噬细胞内游离Ca^2＋离子的上升速度以及达到峰值的荧光值也逐渐升高（P〈0．01）。结论 青春型双歧杆菌的DNA能提高巨噬细胞内游离Ca^2＋离子的浓度,并呈剂量依赖性。     

双歧杆菌对裸鼠腹腔巨噬细胞NO形成的调节作用

给裸小鼠腹腔注射青春型双歧杆菌,每天一次,连续５天,以Ｇｒｉｅｓ试剂测定了裸鼠腹腔巨噬细胞分泌ＮＯ的含量。结果表明：双歧杆菌注射组其腹腔巨噬细胞产生ＮＯ的量显著高于对照组,具有显著的统计学意义（Ｐ＜００１）。提示青春型双歧杆菌可激活巨噬细胞,使之产生一定量的ＮＯ,ＮＯ在介导双歧杆菌的多种生理功能方面起重要作用     

双歧杆菌对腹腔巨噬细胞ERK1/2蛋白激酶通道的影响

目的探讨双歧杆菌对巨噬细胞。ERK1／2蛋白激酶通道的调控。方法收集SD大鼠腹腔巨噬细胞,提取细胞浆蛋白及核蛋白,采用Western印迹分析双歧杆菌对巨噬细胞ERK蛋白激酶水平的影响。结果双歧杆菌呈浓度依赖性诱导巨噬细胞ERK1／2的活化。10^3／ml的双歧杆菌即可增加ERK1／2磷酸化。用10^3／ml的双歧杆菌刺激巨噬细胞,ERK1／2磷酸化30min达到高峰。特异性ERK蛋白激酶抑制剂PD98059能显著降低双歧杆菌诱导的巨噬细胞ERK1／2的活化。结论双歧杆菌可以通过ERK蛋白激酶通道调控巨噬细胞。     

双歧杆菌的完整肽聚糖对小鼠腹腔巨噬细胞膜脂流动性的影响

目的探讨分叉双歧杆菌的完整肽聚糖（WPG）对巨噬细胞膜脂流动性的影响。方法首先分离培养昆明小鼠腹腔巨噬细胞,然后以WPG刺激巨噬细胞,再用细胞膜磷脂荧光探针标记细胞,最后采用激光共聚焦显微镜结合激光漂白后荧光恢复技术检测巨噬细胞的膜脂流动性。结果WPG刺激组反映小鼠腹腔巨噬细胞膜脂流动性的平均荧光恢复率明显高于对照组（P〈0.01）。结论分叉双歧杆菌的完整肽聚糖可提高巨噬细胞膜脂流动性。     

双歧杆菌对裸鼠腹腔巨噬细胞产生IL—1及IL—6的影响

给裸小鼠腹腔注射活的青春型双歧杆菌,并以小鼠胸腺细胞增殖法及ＥＬＩＳＡ法分别检测了裸鼠腹腔巨噬细胞分泌的ＩＬ１活性及ＩＬ６含量。结果表明：实验组裸鼠腹腔巨噬细胞分泌的ＩＬ１活性以及ＩＬ６含量均显著高于对照组,两者均具有统计学意义（ｐ＜００１）。这提示青春型双歧杆菌可激活巨噬细胞产生ＩＬ１以及ＩＬ６,它们在该菌调节机体免疫反应中可能起一定作用。     

双歧杆菌习腹腔巨噬细胞激活作用的初步观察

用青春型双歧杆菌注射于裸鼠腹腔,分别以中性红吞噬法以及ＭＴＴ法检测了裸鼠腹腔巨噬细胞的吞噬能力和能量代谢水平。结果显示双歧杆菌注射组裸鼠腹腔巨噬细胞的吞噬能力和能量代谢水平均显著高于对照组（Ｐ＜０．０１）。提示青春型双歧杆菌能激活巨噬细胞,增强其吞噬功能,提高其能量代谢水平。     

青春型双歧杆菌微生态制品对小鼠腹腔巨噬细胞酸性磷酸酶含量的影响

我们观察了青春型双歧杆菌微生态制品ＤＭ８５０４,对小鼠腹腔巨噬细胞酸性磷酸酶的影响。以青春型双歧杆菌ＤＭ８５０４,０．２ｍｌ（含活菌１８×１０９）。注入小鼠腹腔。每天１次连续５次,对小鼠腹腔巨噬细胞酸性磷酸酶变化进行连续定量测定,并于终止注射后第３天取腹腔巨噬细胞涂片,以酶染色方法进行半定量观察。结果表明,于注射开始后第２天直至注射停止后第５夫,实验组小鼠腹腔巨噬细胞酸性磷酸酶含量均高于对照组,说明ＤＭ８５０４可激活小鼠巨噬细胞,提高酸性磷酸酶的含量及这种作用可维持的天数。     

双歧杆菌的完整肽聚糖对巨噬细胞NF-kB的影响

目的从NF-kb角度探索分叉双歧杆菌的完整肽聚糖（WPG）激活巨噬细胞的信号机制.方法首先分离培养SD大鼠腹腔巨噬细胞,然后以不同浓度的WPG刺激巨噬细胞,最后采用凝胶电泳迁移分析技术检测巨噬细胞NF-kb的DNA结合活性.结果分叉双歧杆菌的WPG作用于巨噬细胞后,其NF-kB的DNA结合活性明显高于对照组（P＜0.01）.结论分叉双歧杆菌的WPG能活化巨噬细胞的NF-kb.     

Role of mitogen-activated protein kinases in Thy-1-induced T-lymphocyte activation

Thy-1 (CD90) crosslinking by monoclonal antibodies (mAb) in the context of costimulation causes the activation of mouse T-lymphocytes; however, the associated signal transduction processes have not been studied in detail. In this study we investigated the role of mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) in Thy-1-mediated T-lymphocyte activation using mAb-coated polystyrene microspheres to crosslink Thy-1 and costimulatory CD28 on murine T-lymphocytes. Concurrent Thy-1 and CD28 crosslinking induced DNA synthesis by T-lymphocytes, as well as interleukin (IL)-2 and IL-2 receptor (IL-2R) α chain (CD25) expression. Increased phosphorylation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) 1/2, p38 MAPK, and c-Jun N-terminal protein kinase (JNK) was also observed. Pharmacologic inhibition of ERK1/2 or JNK activation inhibited Thy-1-induced DNA synthesis and IL-2 production by T-lymphocytes. p38 MAPK inhibition also decreased DNA synthesis in Thy-1-stimulated T-lymphocytes; however, IL-2 production was increased in these cells. Inhibition of JNK, but not ERK1/2 or p38 MAPK, caused a marked reduction in Thy-1-induced CD25 expression. In addition, inhibition of p38 MAPK or JNK, but not ERK1/2, impaired the growth of IL-2-dependent CTLL-2 T-lymphocytes but did not substantially affect CD25 expression. Finally, exogenous IL-2 reversed the inhibitory effect of ERK1/2 or JNK inhibition on Thy-1-stimulated DNA synthesis by T-lymphocytes but did not substantially reverse JNK inhibition of CD25 expression. Collectively, these results suggest that during Thy-1-induced T-lymphocyte activation, ERK1/2 and JNK promoted IL-2 production whereas p38 MAPK negatively regulated IL-2 expression. JNK signalling was also required for CD25 expression. IL-2R signalling involved both p38 MAPK and JNK in CTLL-2 cells, whereas p38 MAPK was most important for IL-2R signalling in primary T-lymphocytes. MAPKs are therefore essential signalling intermediates for the Thy-1-driven proliferation of mouse T-lymphocytes.     

Involvement of MAPK activation in chemokine or COX-2 productions by Toxoplasma gondii

This experiment focused on MAPK activation in host cell invasion and replication of T. gondii, as well as the expression of CC chemokines, MCP-1 and MIP-1 alpha , and enzyme, COX-2/prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) in infected cells via western blot, [3H]-uracil incorporation assay, ELISA and RT-PCR. The phosphorylation of ERK1/2 and p38 in infected HeLa cells was detected at 1 hr and/or 6 hr postinfection (PI). Tachyzoite proliferation was reduced by p38 or JNK MAPK inhibitors. MCP-1 secretion was enhanced in infected peritoneal macrophages at 6 hr PI. MIP-1 alpha mRNA was increased in macrophages at 18 hr PI. MCP-1 and MIP-1 alpha were reduced after treatment with inhibitors of ERK1/2 and JNK MAPKs. COX-2 mRNA gradually increased in infected RAW 264.7 cells and the secretion of COX-2 peaked at 6 hr PI. The inhibitor of JNK suppressed COX-2 expression. PGE2 from infected RAW 264.7 cells was increased and synthesis was suppressed by PD98059, SB203580, and SP600125. In this study, the activation of p38, JNK and/or ERK1/2 MAPKs occurred during the invasion and proliferation of T. gondii tachyzoites in HeLa cells. Also, increased secretion and expression of MCP-1, MIP-1 alpha , COX-2 and PGE2 were detected in infected macrophages, and appeared to occur via MAPK signaling pathways.     

MAPK signaling in the quadriceps of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

Muscle atrophy in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is associated with reduced exercise tolerance, muscle strength, and survival. The molecular mechanisms leading to muscle atrophy in COPD remain elusive. The mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) such as p38 MAPK and ERK 1/2 can increase levels of MAFbx/Atrogin and MuRF1, which are specifically involved in muscle protein degradation and atrophy. Our aim was to investigate the level of activation of p38 MAPK, ERK 1/2, and JNK in the quadriceps of patients with COPD. A biopsy of the quadriceps was obtained in 18 patients with COPD as well as in 9 healthy controls. We evaluated the phosphorylated as well as total protein levels of p38 MAPK, ERK 1/2, and JNK as well as MAFbx/Atrogin and MuRF1 in these muscle samples. The corresponding mRNA expression was also assessed by RT-PCR. Ratios of phosphorylated to total level of p38 MAPK (P = 0.02) and ERK 1/2 (P = 0.01) were significantly elevated in patients with COPD compared with controls. Moreover, protein levels of MAFbx/Atrogin showed a tendency to be greater in patients with COPD (P = 0.08). mRNA expression of p38 MAPK (P = 0.03), ERK 1/2 (P = 0.02), and MAFbx/Atrogin (P = 0.04) were significantly elevated in patients with COPD. In addition, phosphorylated-to-total p38 MAPK ratio (Pearson's r = -0.45; P < 0.05) and phosphorylated-to-total ERK 1/2 ratio (Pearson's r = -0.47; P < 0.05) were negatively associated with the mid-thigh muscle cross-sectional area. These data support the hypothesis that the MAPKs might play a role in the development of muscle atrophy in COPD.     

Signaling pathways associated with macrophage-activating polysaccharide isolated from the fermentation liquor of Rhizopus nigricans

Our previous reports showed that the structural features and immunologic enhancement of polysaccharide (EPS1-1) from Rhizopus nigricans. However, the molecular mechanism in cellular immunomodulatory of EPS1-1 remains unclear. Here the experiments for the molecular mechanisms of EPS1-1 on the peritoneal macrophages were performed. The results demonstrated that the expression of TLR4 was significantly improved by EPS1-1. Subsequently, the phosphorylation of p38MAPK, ERK1/2, JNK and IKKα/β were promoted. Moreover, EPS1-1 enhanced the expressions of IL-2, TNF-α and iNOS in EPS1-1-induced macrophages which were pretreated with MAPK signaling pathway inhibitors, and reduced the blocking effects of the inhibitors to the expressions of p-p38MAPK, p-ERK1/2 and p-IKKα/β. Therefore, these results illustrated that EPS1-1 could improve the immune functions of peritoneal macrophages by promoting the gene expressions of IL-2, TNF-α and iNOS via the MAPK and NF-κB signaling pathways.     

Differential regulation of HSP70 expression by the JNK kinases SEK1 and MKK7 in mouse embryonic stem cells treated with cadmium

JNK, a member of the mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs), is activated by the MAPK kinases SEK1 and MKK7 in response to environmental stresses. In the present study, the effects of CdCl2 treatment on MAPK phosphorylation and HSP70 expression were examined in mouse embryonic stem (ES) cells lacking the sek1 gene, the mkk7 gene, or both. Following CdCl2 exposure, the phosphorylation of JNK, p38, and ERK was suppressed in sek1-/- mkk7-/- cells. When sek1-/- or mkk7-/- cells were treated with CdCl2, JNK phosphorylation, but not the phosphorylation of either p38 or ERK, was markedly reduced, while a weak reduction in p38 phosphorylation was observed in sek1-/- cells. Thus, both SEK1 and MKK7 are required for JNK phosphorylation, whereas their role in p38 and ERK phosphorylation could overlap with that of another kinase. We also observed that CdCl2-induced HSP70 expression was abolished in sek1-/- mkk7-/- cells, was reduced in sek1-/- cells, and was enhanced in mkk7-/- cells. Similarly, the phosphorylation of heat shock factor 1 (HSF1) was decreased in sek1-/- mkk7-/- and sek1-/- cells, but was increased in mkk7-/- cells. Transfection with siRNA specific for JNK1, JNK2, p38, ERK1, or ERK2 suppressed CdCl2-induced HSP70 expression. In contrast, silencing of p38 or p38 resulted in further accumulation of HSP70 protein. These results suggest that HSP70 expression is up-regulated by SEK1 and down-regulated by MKK7 through distinct MAPK isoforms in mouse ES cells treated with CdCl2.     

N-arachidonoyl glycine induces macrophage apoptosis via GPR18

N-arachidonoyl glycine (NAGly), a member of lipoamino acids, was reported to exhibit anti-inflammatory effects in experimental ear edema or peritonitis. However the underlying mechanisms have not been clarified so far. In this study, we attempt to investigate the effects of NAGly on macrophages, including the relevant signaling pathways. NAGly potently induced apoptosis in mouse macrophage-derived cell line, RAW264.7. Pretreatment with inhibitors for MEK and p38 MAPK prevented the apoptosis induced by NAGly, although NAGly activated ERK1/2, p38 MAPK and JNK. Further, we focused on implication of GPR18, one of the orphan G protein-coupled receptors, because NAGly has been reported as a candidate ligand for GPR18. Pretreatment with pertussis toxin or siRNA to knock down the expression of GPR18 significantly attenuated the apoptosis induced by NAGly. In mouse peritoneal macrophages, the expression of GPR18 mRNA was elevated in proinflammatory stimulated macrophages but not in anti-inflammatory stimulated macrophages; consistently, NAGly remarkably reduced cell viability of the former, as compared to the latter. These results suggest that NAGly might be involved in function of macrophages through GPR18.     

TNF-alpha induction by LPS is regulated posttranscriptionally via a Tpl2/ERK-dependent pathway

Tpl2 knockout mice produce low levels of TNF-alpha when exposed to lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and they are resistant to LPS/D-Galactosamine-induced pathology. LPS stimulation of peritoneal macrophages from these mice did not activate MEK1, ERK1, and ERK2 but did activate JNK, p38 MAPK, and NF-kappaB. The block in ERK1 and ERK2 activation was causally linked to the defect in TNF-alpha induction by experiments showing that normal murine macrophages treated with the MEK inhibitor PD98059 exhibit a similar defect. Deletion of the AU-rich motif in the TNF-alpha mRNA minimized the effect of Tpl2 inactivation on the induction of TNF-alpha. Subcellular fractionation of LPS-stimulated macrophages revealed that LPS signals transduced by Tpl2 specifically promote the transport of TNF-alpha mRNA from the nucleus to the cytoplasm.     

Inconsistent relation of MAPK activation to infarct size reduction by ischemic preconditioning in pigs

The importance of the activation of mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPK) for the cardioprotection achieved by ischemic preconditioning (IP) is still controversial. We therefore measured infarct size and p38, extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK), and c-Jun NH(2)-terminal kinase (JNK) MAPK phosphorylation (by biopsies) in enflurane-anesthetized pigs. After 90 min low-flow ischemia and 120 min reperfusion, infarct size averaged 18.3 +/- 12.4 (SD)% (group 1, n = 14). At similar subendocardial blood flows, IP by 10 min ischemia and 15 min reperfusion (group 2, n = 14) reduced infarct size to 6.2 +/- 5.1% (P < 0.05). An inconsistent increase in p38, ERK, and p54 JNK phosphorylation (by Western blot) was found during IP; p46 JNK phosphorylation increased with the subsequent reperfusion. At 8 min of the sustained ischemia, p38, ERK, and p54 JNK phosphorylation were increased with no difference between groups (medians: p38: 207% of baseline in group 1 vs. 153% in group 2; ERK: 142 vs. 144%; p54 JNK: 171 vs. 155%, respectively). MAPK phosphorylation and reduction of infarct size by IP were not correlated, thus not supporting the concept of a causal role of MAPK in mediating cardioprotection by IP.